Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Bower Boys #1

50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover

Rate this book
From Kelly Siskind comes a slow-burn romantic comedy about one man’s creative attempt to win back his high school sweetheart after a change in fortune gives them a second chance at love.

Growing up, I had it all—my art, close friends, a gorgeous girlfriend who owned my heart—but then my life exploded.

Turns out my father was laundering money, and my whole family got shoved into witness protection. No notice. No chance to explain. I was ripped away from beautiful, blue-eyed Delilah Moon, shattering both our worlds.

A decade later, fate has given us a second chance.

The cartel my father worked for has been wiped out. I’ve returned to my hometown, determined to win back the love of my life. But Delilah is engaged.

Or . . . is she?

I’m almost positive she’s lying about her fiancé to protect her heart. Which means I need to up my game.

I’ve made a list of fifty ways to prove we’re meant to be. Except Delilah’s barely looking at me, never mind swooning. I have a feeling my disappearance scarred her more than she’s admitting, and no one in town will tell me what happened . . .

331 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2022

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Kelly Siskind

21 books1,380 followers
Kelly Siskind lives in the wilds of British Columbia. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook and TikTok (@authorkellysiskind).

Golden Heart® Finalist
Amazon Best Seller
Featured on the Apple Books Best Books of the Month list.


Where to find me:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Siskind/...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorKellyS...

Join Kelly's Gang on Facebook for exclusive giveaways and laughs: https://www.facebook.com/authorKellyS...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellysiskind/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellySiskind?lang=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/kellysiskind/


Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
413 (39%)
4 stars
392 (37%)
3 stars
183 (17%)
2 stars
44 (4%)
1 star
18 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,278 reviews848 followers
August 4, 2022
Wow! Where have I been? This is my first by this author and I am left astounded by how incredibly EVERYTHING this was!


No photo description available.


I absolutely loved how this was written from Edgar's point of view only. It just does something for me when an author does this. Let's say it starts with chills and only grows from there. I immediately connected with E and found myself experiencing all that he was going through as he struggled with seeing Delilah for the first time in ten years. What follows shows what an amazing hero he was.





While Delilah is holding onto a secret, E is determined to win her heart again. She definitely made him work for it and I enjoyed every moment of it. Watching him work down a list of what to do was fun and cute.





This had my emotions responding from tears to laughter and all within short periods of time. I fell completely in love with not just Edgar and Delilah, but E’s brothers as well. The premise of this story and E’s background was unique and fits perfectly for the readers that aren't a fan of second chances. I couldn’t ask for a better way to split and reunite a couple. Overall, a great read and just my first by this author as I intend to dig into her backlist.

Hero POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Profile Image for Kelly.
Author 21 books1,380 followers
Read
August 17, 2022
I've never written a book as quickly as this one poured out of me. Once E set up camp in my head, I couldn't do anything but get him onto the page. I'm so excited for everyone to fall in love with him and Delilah too!

Excuse me while I head back to Windfall to work on the rest of the series :)
Profile Image for Caryn - iam.caryn.
785 reviews87 followers
April 11, 2022
I’ve read (and loved) a lot of Kelly Siskind’s books. She’s one of my favourite romance authors.

This is hands down her BEST book to date. I don’t know what magic she put in this, but it was beyond perfect.

Don’t balk at the book being entirely from the male POV. Siskind did that because it’s how this story works. There was no other way to tell this story. There’s no other way I would want this story to be told. E’s POV was beautiful and wonderful and I love him.

I’m so excited that this is going to be a new series from Siskind and I can’t wait to read more about the Bower brothers.

*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Montlake on NetGalley. An honest review was provided.
Profile Image for Micheline Ryckman.
Author 6 books403 followers
May 21, 2022
50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover is a second chance romance that will capture your heart, mind, and soul. There isn’t a moment in this novel that passes where you aren’t obsessed with E, he’s like the combination of nervous cinnamon roll meets Loki style wit. And yet, even though you want to keep him all for yourself, you’ll be desperately reading onward and praying that his mission to win back his beloved, Delilah Moon, succeeds.

I love Kelly Siskind’s writing. To be completely honest, I’m jealous of her skills. Her words and stories are spellbinding, clever, and bursting with life. She will always be one of my most favourite authors.
Profile Image for Dilek VT.
1,545 reviews1,610 followers
October 23, 2022
I read Chasing Crazy from this writer before and it was a fun book. 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover is different. It's emotional and sad. It is written from only the hero's point of view and I don't know if anyone can love a woman better than him. He is such a perfect lover.

The story is simple: Edgar and Delilah were best friends, lovers and soulmates and one day, Edgar and his whole family disappear from the face of the earth and Delilah is devastated. Similarly, Edgar is as devastated as her at the place he was taken to.

I normally don't like and read second chance romance because I don't forgive the ones who leave. No matter what they do when they come back years later, they can't earn my forgiveness easily. However, in this story, Edgar had no say in the matter. His father was laundering money and there was this drug cartel who wanted to kill the whole family so they all went into witness protection. They had new names, new identities etc. and for the sake of themselves and the people they love, they couldn't contact anyone from their past. Now, I can easily forgive this man when he comes back because he never wanted to leave her in the first place. And Edgar does one hell of a groveling. He is so sweet, so full of love for Delilah and it's impossible not to feel his pain for the years they have lost and his longing for Delilah.

I loved Delilah, too. She is a sweet woman and she easily forgives him when she believes he is telling the truth. She just puts a bit of a space between them for a while to protect her heart from breaking again but later she gives in to her feelings, as well.

So why 3 stars?

Well, there is too much inner monologue. After a certain point, it feels repetitive. That's one reason.

And secondly, it was too smooth. Normally, in a book when there is push and pull, or when there is a lot of banter etc before they become lovers, it is more exciting. Here, when you see how much they already love each other, there is nothing much to expect. We just wait for Delilah to trust him again and she does. Edgar never ever makes any mistakes. When she needs space, he gives her that, too. And all is well in the end. So, I guess, although it was a beautiful love story, it didn't give me any angst or thrill, it didn't make me nervous and cause me to bite my nails, wondering what would happen next. It could have won me better if it had made me laugh a lot but nope, on the contrary, it was a tragic story.

All in all, it was a sad but beautiful love story that many readers will enjoy reading but when you knew from the very beginning that they loved each other to the Moon and back, you are left with not many expectations, you know. I can even say that I sometimes got bored in the middle of all that beauty (sorry).

Well, that's all I can say, I guess...



Safety: Safe with no cheating.

They were each other's first. In the 10-year period they were separated, there were other people in their lives. The women Edgar saw usually couldn't go further than a 3rd date but Delilah was engaged the day they saw each other for the first time after 10 years. She had broken up with him, though, before Edgar came back to their town to win her back.

Despite what some people think, I’m not dead. I haven’t been stranded on a desert island these past ten years. I didn’t secretly join the priesthood or get stuck in one of those escape rooms. Nope. I’m here. Out in the world and alive.

At least I was alive, until the loudspeaker at the terminal gate crackled to life and uttered two words, one name—the name that has the power to cut me down at my knees: Delilah Moon.

Now? I’m definitely dying. Or is this a mini stroke?

My brain’s gone on the fritz, unable to form a coherent thought other than Delilah Moon, Delilah Moon, Delilah Moon. I’m pretty sure if I move, my rubbery legs will fold, sending my frozen face on a collision course with the half-crushed Dorito on the retro carpet.

Delilah Lost-Love-of-My-Life Moon.
Author 7 books41 followers
September 6, 2022
Kelly Siskind succeeds again in captivating us with a story that is not only original but also moving and sprinkled with touches of humor. To be honest, I cried a lot from start to finish. Not to the point of sore eyes, it was more light tears but coming from a great empathy for the characters. To write as she does, the author must have great sensitivity and she knows how to transcribe emotions perfectly. Like her hero, E(dgar), Kelly Siskind makes us more able to feel the unfairness of the situation but also the love between E and Delilah.
Edgar's family had to leave their home, their town, their friends, their soul mates. Ten years later, Edgar can finally recover his life and find the woman he has always loved.
A whole decade is a very long time, long enough for feelings to fade but he and Delilah were made for each other and nothing could make them forget the most important person in their hearts.
We therefore have here a story of second chances, but this story goes much further.
The reason for leaving is not common in romance. I loved the idea, I suffered for this family who lost absolutely everything, I hated the man who caused all this pain. Many more and deeper pains than one can imagine at the beginning.
The hero is not ordinary, he shows great sensitivity, great empathy, and he assumes his personality and his emotions. He doesn't take, he gives, he loves. He also has a great sense of humor. Despite what he lives, what he discovers, he has the courage to make those he loves laugh and smile. Especially Delilah. His love for her has not changed in ten years. He never pushes her to make decisions, he lets her go at her own pace, he respects all her needs. He is always present but without overdoing it. In short, I loved him!
Delilah suffered enormously after the unexpected and mysterious departure of Edgar. We know this very quickly but we only learn the full extent of the damage towards the end. With a few hints at times, and yet what I thought I guessed was wrong, so it was a surprise!
Despite the sadness, she courageously rebuilt her life, surrounded by friends, each more extraordinary than the next. This exceptional community makes you want to see them more! They too were touched by the departure of the family. I can't wait to see them all again and see Edgar's brothers regain the happiness that was snatched from them. Just writing these words makes me want to cry again.
Ten years have been stolen from them, with its joys, friendships, love. I hope to see whoever is guilty of this mess suffer. It's horrible to say that, but I hope he will suffer.
The choice to have the whole novel from the hero's point of view scared me, but it allows secrets to be discovered at the same pace as our Edgar (my Edgar).
He and Delilah have been through hell but still have a part of child in them, which helps them to find each other, to recognize each other, to lighten the situation.
They deserve their HEA, like all the secondary characters that I loved.
In short, thank you Kelly Siskind for all these beautiful emotions, for this beautiful story, for these touching characters, for your creativity, for your love of art which this time emerges through the work of Edgar... Thank you. I can't wait to read Desmond's book, although I'm sure I'm going to cry a lot.
Thank you Kelly Siskind and Netgalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Ambur.
842 reviews519 followers
September 7, 2022
I first came across Kelly Siskind's books with her Showmen series, and I've thoroughly loved the ones that I've read, so as soon as I heard about her upcoming Bower Boys series, and about 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER, I was sold! I read the adorable prequel, 5 TRICKS TO SEDUCING YOUR ENEMY (shared in her newsletter), and was eagerly waiting for E and Delilah's story! It was everything that I hoped it would be and I absolutely LOVED it!

E and Delilah were lovely characters, they were so fantastic together, and I loved getting to know them and thought that their second chance love story was so wonderful! Their history was beautiful...and also heartwrenching. I especially loved the chemistry between them--it was steamy, but also felt incredibly realistic, and their banter and inside jokes made their relationship even more lovely! I was constantly laughing, smiling, and tearing up, and I didn't want to put it down.

Storywise, I thought the premise was so interesting and couldn't wait to see how everything with witness protection and E's return to Windfall would unfold...and it was done so well! I adored the town of Windfall, and the cast of amazing side characters! I'm extremely glad that we'll get to see more of them all, and am especially curious about E's brothers...the other Bower boys...and about what's going to happen in Windfall next!

Overall, I absolutely loved 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER—it was hilarious, packed full of amazing banter, and kept me riveted! I loved the romance, the writing, and I really loved the characters! I'm so excited to see where this series goes next! I'm a sucker for small town romances, and I don't tend to gravitate towards second chance romances very often, but this was, without a doubt, one of my fave second chance romances, and I highly recommend it to contemporary romance fans, especially if you're also a fan of steamy, heartwarming, and funny stories! Extra special bonus points for their being an adorable dog in the story, too. ;)

Star Rating: ★★★★★
Profile Image for Addy.
211 reviews4 followers
November 23, 2023
This has been one of my most anticipated reads, so getting the chance to read an early copy was a dream come true. Kelly Siskind's books own my heart, and this book immedietly jumped up there to favorite status.

The Bower family's world got thrown completely upside down when they were forced into witness protection program without a chance to say goodbye to their lives. A decade later, the family is free and E is ready to get back to Windfall and win back Delilah Moon, his best friend and love of his life. The only problem is, he knows his disappearance without a word is going to make earning her trust back so much harder.

E is easily one of the best book guys I have ever read. This entire book is told from his POV, and getting a look into this big, soft, cinnamon roll's heart is everything. During the book you get flashbacks to E and Delilah's past, young and so in love.

"I missed Delilah always, even when I was with her. It was the strangest feeling I couldn't put into words. I imagined it was how astronauts felt, surrounded by everything- limitless infinity and beauty- unable to touch the universe. Delilah was all the starts in the galaxy, so big and bright I could never quite hold all of her. Couldn't fill my lungs all the way when she was near."

(Theres a small part of my brain that is screaming at me to get this tattooed onto my body because its so perfect.)


E comes back to town to win back Delilah, and has a list of 50 ways to win her back, knowing that he caused so much hurt, and the town is against him. Their story is filled with so much heartbreak, overwhelming love, and laughter. These two will always have a special place in my heart and it's a must read for anyone that likes small town romances, and second chance loves.

Thank you so much Netgalley, Kelly Siskind, and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

↠ 5 stars
Profile Image for Malene.
1,294 reviews728 followers
August 14, 2023
An okay second chance romance. This trope is a favorite of mine and also one I’m very picky about because everything has to work for me. The history between the heroine and hero, a valid or understandable reason for the breakup and a reunion filled with chemistry. Sadly Edgar and Delilah didn’t work for me as a couple. I wasn’t feeling the chemistry or connection but the dialogue and banter was great and fun.
It’s only told from Edgar’s POV which was a surprise and maybe the reason they weren’t working for me as a couple. I needed Delilah’s POV.
Still it was an okay read and I got an introduction to Edgar’s family which caught my attention.


*The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Kelly.
157 reviews6 followers
September 2, 2022
"I missed Delilah always, even when I was with her. It was the strangest feeling I couldn't put into words. I imagined it was how astronauts felt, surrounded by everything--limitless infinity and beauty--unable to touch the universe. Delilah was all the stars in the galaxy, so big and bright I could never quite hold all of her. Couldn't fill my lungs all the way when she was near."

KELLY SISKIND IS A QUEEN. This. Book. Is. EVERYTHING. I loved it to bits. I can't even wrap my mind around how much I loved it.

E's world is flipped upside down when his family gets uprooted out of the small town of Windfall and placed into witness protection due to a money laundering scheme his father was heavily involved in. 10 years later, the Bower family is free from witness protection, and all E has ever thought of was returning to his first love/best friend, Delilah Moon. He's determined to win back her trust and affections after disappearing from her life without a trace.

Oh, E. I loved him endlessly. Such a softie with a big heart. He was such a fantastic character and I loved delving into his thoughts throughout the entire book. He lost so much of his life while in witness protection, so reading him come back to all the people that filled his younger years while attempting to patch up old issues was such a whirlwind of emotion.

Delilah and E are magic. I'm a sucker for friends to lovers, so reading memories from their earlier years struck me HARD, making their current situation all the more powerful and heartbreaking. I was rooting for E to win Delilah over from the very first page. :')

If you're into second-chance romances full of heart and small-town characters that will have you laughing and crying from beginning to end, READ THIS BOOK. I can't wait to read this again. I ALSO CAN'T WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE BOOKS IN THE SERIES. ✨

Thank you to Kelly Siskind, NetGalley, and Montlake for the ARC.
Profile Image for Amy Lea.
Author 6 books2,841 followers
March 24, 2022
I'm obsessed with this book and want it to be my entire personality.
Profile Image for Shannon.
6,784 reviews378 followers
September 21, 2022
This was a somewhat heavier second chance romance told refreshingly from the POV of the male lead, Edgar. Highschool sweethearts, Edgar Bower and Delilah Moon were inseparable, that is until Edgar's money-laundering father caused the whole family to be torn away and put into the Witness Protection program for their own safety. Edgar never got a chance to say goodbye or explain his disappearance and has yearned to reconnect with Delilah ever since.

Ten years later his father is no longer an issue and Edgar is free to return to his hometown only to find that Delilah is now engaged and has no interest in hearing his explanations. I loved how hard Edgar works to win Delilah over and their undeniable chemistry. Told through flashbacks to their past we get to see how they first fell in love and the ways their deep connections still exist.

Great on audio narrated by John Lane, I'm excited to see what's next in this series that feature Edgar's other brothers. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Canadian romance author Kelly Siskind and definitely won't be my last!
Profile Image for Red Reader.
519 reviews19 followers
March 29, 2022
Sigh. How do I even begin? I was super lucky to get an early read of this story and I was instantly in love. I can't say I've ever read a story quite like this one and fallen so hard for a character. Edgar is...just Edgar, or E to everyone else. The entire story is told in E's POV, flashing back and forth from pre-WITSEC days when budding love was young and life was mostly carefree to the present when life keeps having him lemons and the struggle is real. I equally loved the past and the present stories and how they intertwined. How the hurt from the past didn't just go away easily. There wasn't an "I'm sorry" and it was all fixed. It lasted throughout the entire story. And you felt it. Edgar's father did so much damage but I actually never thought of how much he hurt people other than his family until it was spelled out.

Some stories wow a reader with the build and size (does size really matter? 🤔) of the male character, boasting about tattoos, muscles upon muscles, and scruff that does all the right things to a lady's inner thighs.They're gruff, mega confident, and overly masculine (yes, there is such a thing). You fall in love with that fictional character knowing he's totally unrealistic. It's what we do. But with E, it was the opposite that had me swooning. Edgar's character is real and gives off a little nerdy underdog vibes. And hello, I'm a huge fan of real. And real life has underdogs, so of course I fell hard. And his witty sense of humor and inner commentary, as well as that 6pack he proudly displays, had me falling straight off that cliff into the #teamEdgar abyss. And just like Delilah, I was a gonner. (There has to be a real life Edgar out there somewhere for me!)

Edgar doesn't just sweep in and magically get Delilah back. There's serious work involved. And his chase is strong (who can resist good dog cuddles and licks?) I love a good relentless pursuit. But don't think for a second his chase ends with heart and rainbows. Nope. Too easy. There are scuffles and tears, lemon tarts, a narc Sandra, an MIA fiance, and some serious engagement and wedding improv. It's an adventure! And...there are brothers! Gah! And when you meet said brothers you will love them all! You will need them all.

I've been reading Kelly's books since the beginning and every story just gets better and better. But this one? I don't think it gets better than Edgar and Delilah. You know Kelly is over there, rubbing her hands together and cackling maniacally, thinking about E's brother Desmond and how I'm going to regret saying they're the best. Because every book she writes is always better than the last!
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,693 reviews181 followers
April 12, 2022
3.5 stars

Written entirely in the male protagonist's POV, '50 Ways to win back your Lover' is sort of an exercise in grovelling when you've disappeared for a decade without an explanation in the dead of night only to reappear when the circumstances magically turn your way. Starting with a checklist of things to do in order to erase the trauma of your disappearance. 

At least, that's what Edgar Bower--or better known as E--is facing in life after WITSEC. Making amends is probably one of the hardest things to do as he determinedly sets out to win back the love of his life, ploughing through all obstacles as hard as he can just to get near Delilah Moon. But people's memories aren't short in the small town of Windfall and E has a lot to do just to get back to where he thought he'd been all those years ago, and apparently, as do the rest of his family.

I found myself part bemused and amused at Edgar's odd train of thoughts at times--he wins hands down at the kind of pursuit most women would probably dream about, but little goes down in the first half of the book except for a lot of near-hysterical monologue about his current and past circumstances, some flashbacks about his and Delilah's history and how good they'd been together.

The subtle and unexpected bursts of humour had me smirking at times--that part made the read worth it--but I also cringed when it lobbed itself from romantic to cheesy from one moment to the next. As far as beta-type heroes go, E isn't at all a bad one and I liked his quirky, artistic and sensitive side that's seen throughout the story--it's a kind of softness and a breath of fresh air that is often missing from the muscly, reckless sort.

But Siskind doesn't stop there at E's and Delilah's somewhat rushed HEA, as this is clearly also the set up for a series to come as this broken family tries to mend itself after ten long years of separation from their old lives. In short, it's in no way a bad read at all with a promise of more of this family in the future but I think I did expected a little more drama and action (higher peaks, lower troughs) perhaps instead of a more talked-over, babbling kind of narrative where there were more instances of telling rather than showing.

*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Profile Image for Veronica Ticker.
901 reviews58 followers
August 22, 2022
What a good surprise this book was! I think it was the perfect mix of humor and drama, where the dramatic events are mostly there to explain the characters’ various struggles, but the writing is light enough to not make it heavy.

The premise isn’t that happy: Edgar and his brothers had to leave their small town ten years ago, because their father worked with the mafia and death threats forced them to go on witness protection. No contact were allowed. But Edgar left his first and only love, Delilah, and has been pining over her ever since.

The beginning of the book is actually happier, with Edgar and one of his brother finding themselves in the same plane as Delilah, and some kind of reunion that pushes Edgar to come back to their small town.

With the book being written exclusively through the male character’s point of view–which is quite unusual–we have the pleasure to experience his story colored with his wit and sense of humor. Just on this side of weird and nerdy. It was perfect and put a smile on my face the whole time I was reading. Even during the darker moments.

The small town elements were present–secrets never stay secret very long, there’s an inside and an outside of the town, everyone knows everyone… I loved how they side with Delilah and give Edgar shit.

I was more ambivalent with the romance. Ten years, several relationships each, even an engagement for Delilah, and we’re supposed to believe they still love each other. Nope. But they actually spend a long time discovering each other all over again, and that I liked. It was like they were falling in love again, and adult love this time.

A lot of humor, a sexy romance, some drama to make you feel for the characters, I’m convinced!

Quickie

- Series: Bower boys #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #small town romance #second chance romance
- Triggers: mention of past accident, past alcohol abuse
- Main couple: Delilah Moon & Edgar Bower
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the witty writing put a smile on my face
- – once again, pining over someone while dating other people… kind of cringey
Profile Image for Sarah.
312 reviews11 followers
May 27, 2022
This is a true example of not judging a book by its cover, because the cover suggested to me a light hearted romcom, and this story is so much more than that. Told entirely in first-person POV by E, the principal male character (unusual for a romance novel, but it works), there are humorous moments thanks to his wryly self-deprecating voice, but there’s also loss and heartbreak and penitence as E tries to return to Delilah, the woman he was ripped away from as a teenager. Delilah herself is a wonderful character, strong and nuanced after all she’s been through, and the supporting cast in the town of Windfall are just that: supportive, without being too over the top with being nosy and interfering. I honestly laughed at times and may also have shed a tear or two - will definitely read further books in this planned series.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and the publisher and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Kari.
263 reviews5 followers
April 18, 2022
"I've spent so long pretending not to be me, it's like I'm learning who I am all over again."

Edgar Eugene Bower (aka "E") knows who he is. At least, he did, ten years ago before everything he knew was unceremoniously taken away from him because of the actions of his selfish father.

Delilah Moon knows loss. "People always leave me," she tells a stranger on an airplane. She's lost her father and her best friend.

After ten long years of separation, fate has brought them together in an airport terminal. Will E grasp the opportunity to tell her why he disappeared from her life a decade ago?

"Some people don't have the emotional capacity to consider how others feel. All they think about is how their choices affect them. If one moment doesn't show their true colors, another will."

This story was written in first person point of view from E's perspective. It was refreshing to read a single narrator story from the point of view of the male lead. That was just one way that this novel felt fresh and unique. I went into this blindly, having never read anything by this author and thinking the story would be a cutesy "get her back" novel. I'm a huge fan of the second chance trope, and this book blew me away with its originality, realistic, multifaceted, and most importantly likable characters, and fantastic emotional scenes and themes. There is nothing about E that I don't like, which is rare for me, and Delilah is his perfect counterpart. The writer built their history and their present beautifully, with fantastic imagery and figurative language that made the book both lighthearted and emotionally heavy at the same time.

After finishing this novel, I am very eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series. I love the characters and the small town it's set in and am looking forward to seeing the continuation of the conflict as it affects the rest of E's siblings.
Profile Image for Alex E..
473 reviews17 followers
December 23, 2022
3.5 stars for the storyline
So I really loved Edgar he is really such a sweetheart and adorkable and packaged with 6 packs😂 and he has a cheesy sense of humor.
I loved Delilah and what she went through, she is such a strong heroine. All the side Characters were the best you would want as friends.
I think the storyline was different and refreshing to read it from only the male POV. If the author added the h. Perspective it would have caused extra drama without any good reason.
I loved their interactions and how they end up slowly back together and that Delilah didn't simply jump back.
What bothered me is that he had flings during their time apart (I know I'm so weird) but this is probably my issue with second chances. But how can someone say that the other person is their universe and yet be able to go on dates and more. Granted he had to move on as he never knew when and if he would see her again. And yes he never gave anyone his heart. But I would have loved the storyline even more if he had been celibate and the heroine to have moved on... Still it was only mentioned once so no drama there.
Writing was engaging and can't wait for next book.
Profile Image for Kimberly (Kimmy Loves to Read).
1,071 reviews11 followers
September 7, 2022
I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.

If I could use one word to describe this book it would be "pining". There is SO MUCH PINING in this book and it is of the A+ variety. E was just the absolute best and I loved him (and his brothers) so much.

E returning to his hometown to reunite with Delilah may not be the best idea, but it is literally everything he has been waiting for. He knew that winning her back wouldn't be easy, but he was up for the task. And he knew exactly how to do it.

Delilah doesn't trust E, but she has a really good reason. It's clear that she still loves him, but she doesn't know how to trust him again. I loved that she really put him through the wringer. It made for some excellent angst that tugged at my heart strings for a lot of the book.

I just loved this book so much. As soon as I was done, I wanted to immediately reread it. It gave me all the warm and fuzzies, but it also delivered some super sexy times.

Now bring on the moody Desmond Bower....I am ready!!!
109 reviews
April 12, 2022
I received a copy of this story to read for an honest review. I found myself reading it three times before I could concentrate on anything besides getting sucked into the story. I was so in love with the characters and the plot that I was afraid that I might have missed something. Simply put….it is perfect. This story epitomizes the saying of ‘to the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world’. You never know the effect you have on someone’s life. It deals with the emotions of love and lack of love from individuals inside and outside of a family. It is a beautifully created rendition of how “soul mates” is a real thing. With each read, I couldn’t stop thinking about the rawness and realness of the characters and the situation. It was very thought provoking and people should never pass an opportunity or second opportunity with that special someone. I adored it.
Profile Image for Ana.
950 reviews27 followers
April 22, 2022
This book is like a gift that keeps on giving! Great characters, a wonderful storyline, some twists and turns, a great romance...and so on and so on. I loved E and Delilah's story. There's nothing like a second chance romance, especially from the male POV. I enjoyed seeing how their separation impacted both their lives and how much their past impacted their future and, of course, I adored how much care E put into winning Delilah's heart. These two were meant to be but had so many obstacles to overcome. Watching them fight for each other made my heart glow! This is a great start to what I hope will be a long and wonderful series...there are lots of Bower boys to love and I hope they all get their chance at a happy ending!
Profile Image for Sofia (Inked Odyssey).
532 reviews135 followers
October 19, 2022
“There couldn’t be other women when my heart’s been on Mars this whole time, stuck on you.”

This book has been on my radar after seeing it in Netgalley but today I saw it on Kindle Unlimited and decided to read it, and let me tell you, best thing I’ve done in a while.

First of all, after reading the blurb, I was completely gone. I mean, a second chance romance, set in a small town, about two childhood lovers and soulmates who were torn apart because of twist of fate who reunite after 10 years? and told from the Hero’s POV? Yeah, I’m sold.

I had no idea I was going to absolutely adore this book and fall in love with the characters. I was caught off in the best way possible. This book was so fun, it had a little drama, and it was full of love. The way the E and Delilah were completely gone for each other is what romances are made of!

Let’s talk about the POV a little,

Like I said, this book is told form Edgar aka E’s point of view. I am all for romance books told completely in male POVs but there aren’t many and the only author extremely good at it and at the absolute top of my list is Emma Chase, but let me tell you E’s storytelling was spectacular! He’s hilariously witty and has an immaculate personality. And, he’s completely gone and sold for Delilah. Reading his whole thoughts about her was everything!

It’s so cute how in love he is with her and same for her. From the beginning their chemistry was shining bright. I loved how the author showed us their past with their present, I think it made it much easier to get dragged in like the main characters themselves.

Another highlight worth mentioning was E’s family, who were all part of the thing that dragged them away. I loved everyone. Edgar’s brothers, Lennon, Jake, Cal, and Desmond, along with their mum, Chelsea. The Bower family. Their dynamic is lovely and so fun. I’m extremely curious to get their stories!

Next book will be Desmond’s and I can’t wait. Out of all the brothers, Desmond is the most troubled one. The twist of fate was extremely hard on him and I’m extremely curious to read his story!
Profile Image for Lenore Kosinski.
2,389 reviews64 followers
December 9, 2022
https://celebrityreaders.com/2022/12/...

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — I totally didn’t reread the blurb before starting this book, and completely forgot the hook for this story! It had me sucked in and emotionally invested right from the start.

E was absolutely adorable. His whole character, and the romance between E and Delilah reminded me of one of my favourite authors, so needless to say I was sucked in. There was something so real about him — real emotion, obviously, but he was also awkward and had a childish sense of humour at times, and I don’t know…just a real hero. I LOVE those. I wouldn’t necessarily call him a beta boy, but he was awfully close (be still my heart). I loved his growth throughout the story. While I don’t see his start as selfishly as he does, I still appreciated how he was able to take in a bigger perspective of everything that happened because of 10 years ago.

Even though we only get E’s POV, I still fell in love with Delilah. I will admit that I did not guess her secret quite correctly, and it was hard waiting so long to get that answer…just as hard for this reader as for E. But even though you could see her jagged pieces, she wasn’t completely broken. I appreciated that she had clawed back parts of her life, and E didn’t “fix” her by coming back. He helped give her that final bit of peace she was missing, but she still had a solid fulfilling life on her own.

They were pretty cute together. I loved getting the memories from their past so you could understand how deep their relationship was 10 years ago when everything happened. And then it was so satisfying to see them get back first their epic friendship, and eventually more. They made my heart happy.

I love when a small town becomes its own character in a story, and I can definitely say that the townspeople of Windfall added their own flavour. And I ADORED the varying personalities of the Bower Boys, and can’t wait for all of their stories.

My depression is pretty strong right now, so I will admit that I think this book would have hit even higher if I’d been in a better frame of mind…which is saying something.
Profile Image for book bruin.
1,394 reviews347 followers
February 4, 2023
This was an emotional and sweet second chance romance. It’s also one of the rare romances that I’ve read that features only the hero’s POV. The heavier moments were balanced well with the silly and I laughed plenty of times while reading this one. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my absolute favorite tropes and Delilah and Edgar (E) were so wonderful together. My heart broke for them and all they lost. I was rooting for them to get their long awaited HEA, but I appreciated that the author let them reconnect gradually and didn’t rush things. I really loved the narration by John Lane and he used such a great mix of voices to bring the characters to life.

The premise of the series is an intriguing one - a family in witness protection for the last 10 years coming back to the hometown and people they left behind. The series is set up well so that each brother (hopefully) gets his own book, but introducing all those characters and side stories made the book feel a little long. I’m looking forward to reading Desmond’s book next.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars

Tropes: second chance, childhood friends to lovers, forced proximity, only 1 bed, small town, cinnamon roll hero

CW: MMC was in witness protection for the last 10 years, mentions of money laundering and threats to safety, grief, FMC engaged in destructive behaviors (past), car accident & surgery (past), scars associated with accident/surgery, discussions about children and pregnancy
Profile Image for Sofie Sehested.
313 reviews9 followers
September 6, 2022
I give this book 4,5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

This is a second chance/small town romance that hit me right in my heart. Kelly Siskind made me feel everything that the main characters felt all throughout the story. She made me laugh, she made me cry, she made me angry and she broke my heart and put it back together again with the HEA between E (Brian aka Edgar) and Delilah Moon. I have never read a book by Kelly Siskind before and this will definitely not be the last!

E and Delilah went from enemies/friends/lovers/enemies/friends/lovers. They are forced from each other when they are 16 because of E’s father and ten years later E gets a chance to return to Windfall to redeem himself and win back Delilah.
He has been in love with her ever since he met her and that has definitely not changed. He will do anything to get her forgiveness and win back her love but she has been through a lot since his family left town and she(and the townspeople) won’t make it easy on him.

I loved E and Delilah. Their banter was so funny and you could really feel that even though they have been apart for ten years they know each other still at some level. E would do anything to make Delilah smile and laugh but he would also give her space and time when she needed it even though it hurt him to do it.
The end conflict was quickly resolved by them talking about it and that was great even though I didn’t like that she kept that secret until the end.
E’s family was great too and I felt so happy that E redeemed them so they could return to Windfall without being treated like crap like E was in the beginning.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series because OMG E’s brother Desmond’s book is going to be so emotional and though to read. I am sure it is going to hit me on my feels yet again.

I can definitely recommend this book.

I got this book from Netgalley and Kelly Siskind. This is my honest opinion and my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Sam I AMNreader.
1,543 reviews316 followers
Shelved as 'life-is-too-short'
November 6, 2023
Unfortunately, while there are such good pieces of this, I think the "secret" and the puppy dog acts have carried on just too long. I did live the beginning, his voice, and his devotion though. That's all good stuff.

I'm going through that phase where I added everything to KU then realized I need to have less patience at times.

Profile Image for Sena.
213 reviews84 followers
November 12, 2022
3.5 stars - she’s finished 🤗 that took a month

soooo I actually had fun reading it. it wasn’t anything life changing (wasnt suppose to be) and i really enjoyed edgar’s voice. the only problem was… i truly didn’t like the lack of a duo pov. and i didn’t like the way this author writes 🌶.

thank you @sahara for letting me borrow ur copy and allowing me to annotate it 🤭
Profile Image for Megan (megs_bookblog).
545 reviews92 followers
September 9, 2022
This is one of the best second chance romances I have ever read! It’s my first book by Siskind and I was thrilled to learn that it’s the first of a brand new series involving all five Bower brothers! I picked this up for its unique premise and quickly fell in love with the author’s writing style. I already can’t wait to dive into her backlist.

Ten years ago, Edgar Bower and his family were forced into WITSEC and had to leave their small town in the middle of the night. Edgar left his girlfriend, Delilah, behind and wasn’t able to contact her or even let her know that he was okay. He never stopped thinking about her, and when he is unexpectedly released from witness protection, he immediately returns to Windfall to try and win her back. Unfortunately, he’s still unable to explain what happened to him and his family all those years ago, and he doesn’t receive the warm reception he’s hoping for.

I loved that this is told entirely from Edgar’s perspective! He’s our nerdy, sensitive, beta hero and his sense of humor kept a smile on my face even during the darker moments. And there are quite a few of those. Even while Edgar is trying to make amends to the people who were hurt by his family’s disappearance, it seems like everyone in Windfall was affected in some way and they aren’t afraid to share their opinions (and their wild theories about what happened to them). The story is told using flashbacks to show what the relationship between Edgar and Delilah was like before Edgar left and my heart broke over and over again for all of the time they lost. Siskind somehow managed to make this story feel light while thoroughly exploring both Edgar and Delilah’s heartache.

The banter is top notch and these two fall back into their old, friendly ways pretty quickly. E is such a sweet, cinnamon roll and I loved his 50 steps to get Delilah back and how dedicated he was to making her fall in love with him again. It’s a slow burn that’s worth the wait because the spice is top tier!

Read this if you love angsty pining, second chances, lists, dark secrets, witty banter, an artistic hero and a tough heroine. Thank you so much to Kelly Siskind and Grey’s Promotions for the arc to read and review! I’m already on pins and needles waiting for Desmond’s book! 50 Ways To Win Back Your Lover is out today!
Profile Image for Marie.
Author 27 books899 followers
August 7, 2022
50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover was an emotional roller coaster. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I raged, I nearly had to douse myself in cold water after the steamy scenes. This book combines two of my favourite tropes: friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance, and it did it beautifully.

E and Delilah were childhood enemies turned friends turned lovers. When E and his entire family suddenly disappeared without a trace, it rocked the whole town of Windfall. Nobody knew what happened to the Bower family, and it looked like no one ever would. The story starts in the present day, ten years after the family’s disappearance; they’ve been in Witness Protection for the last decade because of Mr. Bower’s hidden criminal activities that led to a threat against the whole family.

Going in, I didn’t realize the story would be told solely in E’s POV. I don’t think I’ve ever read an m/f romance told completely from the guy’s POV, but it worked really well for this book, and I can't imagine it being told any other way. I loved E’s voice; everything he felt - the heartache, the anger, the grief, the love, the joy - was so real, and I found it easy to connect with him (and fall in love with him).

As I mentioned, two of my absolute favourite genres are friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance. I love when characters have history, whether it’s as friends or a romantic history. I loved getting glimpses of E and Delilah’s past - we saw their relationship progress from day one until the day he was taken into protective custody. It was clear that even though they were so young, they loved and respected each other. One thing that often annoys me in second-chance romance is when the couple has been apart for years and then they’re reunited and fall immediately back in love and back into old routines as if nothing has changed. It always bugs me because I’m certainly not the same person I was 10 years ago, and most people evolve either because they want to or because circumstances force them to - or both. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case with this book; E initially hoped that’s how things would go because he remembered every moment he and Delilah had together, and he wanted to remind her how great they were together. I appreciated the balance between their history and the things that were still the same, and the things E had to learn about present-day Delilah. It wasn’t easy and he had to work to earn her trust and show her he was sticking around.

Other aspects of this book that deserve recognition: Candy Cane the dog. The family dynamics between the Bower brothers. E’s artwork and all his hard work, passion, and talent. The resurrected friendships, and the assorted amusing townspeople in Windfall.

If you’re looking for an engaging, entertaining, heartfelt romance that will kick you in the feels while also making you swoon and laugh, you need to read 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover.



*I received an advance copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
940 reviews
August 19, 2022
50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover by Kelly Siskind is a second chance romance that will have you turning the pages so fast with this beautiful, fun, tearful, and very enjoyable read about E and Delilah. E is determined to do everything in his power to win back the love of his life while Delilah holds him at arms length for reasons we come to find out during the story. He is lovable, enduring, and witty while putting himself out there and Delilah is someone that is strong and fierce and loved by everyone and has made her way in life despite circumstances. I loved every minute of reading their story and E's internal monologue on how he would woo and finally win back Delilah. I cannot wait for the rest of the Bower brothers to get their stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.